AUGUSTA - A measure by Rep. Sue Salisbury, D-Westbrook, that will establish the School Meal Equipment and Program Improvement Fund, administered by the Maine Department of Education (DOE), is now law. Gov. Janet Mills signed the bill on Thursday, July 27.
LD 1183 directs the DOE to issue grants to eligible school districts to purchase school kitchen and cafeteria equipment. This equipment is necessary to serve healthy meals, improve food safety in school kitchens and cafeterias, support the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program and to reimburse food costs associated with accommodating separate equipment requirements for students with medically necessary dietary restrictions.
"Without meals provided by schools, many kids across the country would go hungry," said Salisbury. "Here in Maine, 43% of students rely on school meals. This new law will establish a pathway for schools to reliably access funding so that they can acquire and maintain the equipment needed to ensure our students have enough to eat."
The bill will take effect on October 25, 2023.
Salisbury is serving her second term in the Maine House and represents District 128, part of Westbrook. She serves as House chair of the Legislature's Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety.
Contact:
Katie Walsh [Salisbury], c. 776-2122